diff --git a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/snap.go b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/snap.go
index 8ff3f1f71a..4f1b6f8656 100644
--- a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/snap.go
+++ b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/snap.go
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/internal/utesting"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie/trienode"
-	"golang.org/x/crypto/sha3"
 )
 
 func (c *Conn) snapRequest(code uint64, msg any) (any, error) {
@@ -905,7 +904,7 @@ func (s *Suite) snapGetByteCodes(t *utesting.T, tc *byteCodesTest) error {
 	// that the serving node is missing
 	var (
 		bytecodes = res.Codes
-		hasher    = sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)
+		hasher    = crypto.NewKeccakState()
 		hash      = make([]byte, 32)
 		codes     = make([][]byte, len(req.Hashes))
 	)
@@ -964,7 +963,7 @@ func (s *Suite) snapGetTrieNodes(t *utesting.T, tc *trieNodesTest) error {
 
 	// Cross reference the requested trienodes with the response to find gaps
 	// that the serving node is missing
-	hasher := sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)
+	hasher := crypto.NewKeccakState()
 	hash := make([]byte, 32)
 	trienodes := res.Nodes
 	if got, want := len(trienodes), len(tc.expHashes); got != want {
diff --git a/cmd/geth/dbcmd.go b/cmd/geth/dbcmd.go
index 4e91a4ff25..742eadd5f3 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/dbcmd.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/dbcmd.go
@@ -246,11 +246,17 @@ func removeDB(ctx *cli.Context) error {
 		ancientDir = config.Node.ResolvePath(ancientDir)
 	}
 	// Delete state data
-	statePaths := []string{rootDir, filepath.Join(ancientDir, rawdb.StateFreezerName)}
+	statePaths := []string{
+		rootDir,
+		filepath.Join(ancientDir, rawdb.StateFreezerName),
+	}
 	confirmAndRemoveDB(statePaths, "state data", ctx, removeStateDataFlag.Name)
 
 	// Delete ancient chain
-	chainPaths := []string{filepath.Join(ancientDir, rawdb.ChainFreezerName)}
+	chainPaths := []string{filepath.Join(
+		ancientDir,
+		rawdb.ChainFreezerName,
+	)}
 	confirmAndRemoveDB(chainPaths, "ancient chain", ctx, removeChainDataFlag.Name)
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/core/genesis_test.go b/core/genesis_test.go
index 61be0bd252..31401e214c 100644
--- a/core/genesis_test.go
+++ b/core/genesis_test.go
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ func TestVerkleGenesisCommit(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("expected trie to be verkle")
 	}
 
-	if !rawdb.ExistsAccountTrieNode(db, nil) {
+	if !rawdb.HasAccountTrieNode(db, nil) {
 		t.Fatal("could not find node")
 	}
 }
diff --git a/core/rawdb/accessors_trie.go b/core/rawdb/accessors_trie.go
index e34b24fd76..44eb715d04 100644
--- a/core/rawdb/accessors_trie.go
+++ b/core/rawdb/accessors_trie.go
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/ethdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/log"
-	"golang.org/x/crypto/sha3"
 )
 
 // HashScheme is the legacy hash-based state scheme with which trie nodes are
@@ -50,7 +49,7 @@ const PathScheme = "path"
 type hasher struct{ sha crypto.KeccakState }
 
 var hasherPool = sync.Pool{
-	New: func() interface{} { return &hasher{sha: sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)} },
+	New: func() interface{} { return &hasher{sha: crypto.NewKeccakState()} },
 }
 
 func newHasher() *hasher {
@@ -65,33 +64,15 @@ func (h *hasher) release() {
 	hasherPool.Put(h)
 }
 
-// ReadAccountTrieNode retrieves the account trie node and the associated node
-// hash with the specified node path.
-func ReadAccountTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, path []byte) ([]byte, common.Hash) {
-	data, err := db.Get(accountTrieNodeKey(path))
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, common.Hash{}
-	}
-	h := newHasher()
-	defer h.release()
-	return data, h.hash(data)
-}
-
-// HasAccountTrieNode checks the account trie node presence with the specified
-// node path and the associated node hash.
-func HasAccountTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, path []byte, hash common.Hash) bool {
-	data, err := db.Get(accountTrieNodeKey(path))
-	if err != nil {
-		return false
-	}
-	h := newHasher()
-	defer h.release()
-	return h.hash(data) == hash
+// ReadAccountTrieNode retrieves the account trie node with the specified node path.
+func ReadAccountTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, path []byte) []byte {
+	data, _ := db.Get(accountTrieNodeKey(path))
+	return data
 }
 
-// ExistsAccountTrieNode checks the presence of the account trie node with the
+// HasAccountTrieNode checks the presence of the account trie node with the
 // specified node path, regardless of the node hash.
-func ExistsAccountTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, path []byte) bool {
+func HasAccountTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, path []byte) bool {
 	has, err := db.Has(accountTrieNodeKey(path))
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
@@ -113,33 +94,15 @@ func DeleteAccountTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueWriter, path []byte) {
 	}
 }
 
-// ReadStorageTrieNode retrieves the storage trie node and the associated node
-// hash with the specified node path.
-func ReadStorageTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, accountHash common.Hash, path []byte) ([]byte, common.Hash) {
-	data, err := db.Get(storageTrieNodeKey(accountHash, path))
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, common.Hash{}
-	}
-	h := newHasher()
-	defer h.release()
-	return data, h.hash(data)
-}
-
-// HasStorageTrieNode checks the storage trie node presence with the provided
-// node path and the associated node hash.
-func HasStorageTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, accountHash common.Hash, path []byte, hash common.Hash) bool {
-	data, err := db.Get(storageTrieNodeKey(accountHash, path))
-	if err != nil {
-		return false
-	}
-	h := newHasher()
-	defer h.release()
-	return h.hash(data) == hash
+// ReadStorageTrieNode retrieves the storage trie node with the specified node path.
+func ReadStorageTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, accountHash common.Hash, path []byte) []byte {
+	data, _ := db.Get(storageTrieNodeKey(accountHash, path))
+	return data
 }
 
-// ExistsStorageTrieNode checks the presence of the storage trie node with the
+// HasStorageTrieNode checks the presence of the storage trie node with the
 // specified account hash and node path, regardless of the node hash.
-func ExistsStorageTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, accountHash common.Hash, path []byte) bool {
+func HasStorageTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, accountHash common.Hash, path []byte) bool {
 	has, err := db.Has(storageTrieNodeKey(accountHash, path))
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
@@ -198,10 +161,18 @@ func HasTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, owner common.Hash, path []byte, hash c
 	case HashScheme:
 		return HasLegacyTrieNode(db, hash)
 	case PathScheme:
+		var blob []byte
 		if owner == (common.Hash{}) {
-			return HasAccountTrieNode(db, path, hash)
+			blob = ReadAccountTrieNode(db, path)
+		} else {
+			blob = ReadStorageTrieNode(db, owner, path)
 		}
-		return HasStorageTrieNode(db, owner, path, hash)
+		if len(blob) == 0 {
+			return false
+		}
+		h := newHasher()
+		defer h.release()
+		return h.hash(blob) == hash // exists but not match
 	default:
 		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Unknown scheme %v", scheme))
 	}
@@ -209,43 +180,35 @@ func HasTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, owner common.Hash, path []byte, hash c
 
 // ReadTrieNode retrieves the trie node from database with the provided node info
 // and associated node hash.
-// hashScheme-based lookup requires the following:
-//   - hash
-//
-// pathScheme-based lookup requires the following:
-//   - owner
-//   - path
 func ReadTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, owner common.Hash, path []byte, hash common.Hash, scheme string) []byte {
 	switch scheme {
 	case HashScheme:
 		return ReadLegacyTrieNode(db, hash)
 	case PathScheme:
-		var (
-			blob  []byte
-			nHash common.Hash
-		)
+		var blob []byte
 		if owner == (common.Hash{}) {
-			blob, nHash = ReadAccountTrieNode(db, path)
+			blob = ReadAccountTrieNode(db, path)
 		} else {
-			blob, nHash = ReadStorageTrieNode(db, owner, path)
+			blob = ReadStorageTrieNode(db, owner, path)
 		}
-		if nHash != hash {
+		if len(blob) == 0 {
 			return nil
 		}
+		h := newHasher()
+		defer h.release()
+		if h.hash(blob) != hash {
+			return nil // exists but not match
+		}
 		return blob
 	default:
 		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Unknown scheme %v", scheme))
 	}
 }
 
-// WriteTrieNode writes the trie node into database with the provided node info
-// and associated node hash.
-// hashScheme-based lookup requires the following:
-//   - hash
+// WriteTrieNode writes the trie node into database with the provided node info.
 //
-// pathScheme-based lookup requires the following:
-//   - owner
-//   - path
+// hash-scheme requires the node hash as the identifier.
+// path-scheme requires the node owner and path as the identifier.
 func WriteTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueWriter, owner common.Hash, path []byte, hash common.Hash, node []byte, scheme string) {
 	switch scheme {
 	case HashScheme:
@@ -261,14 +224,10 @@ func WriteTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueWriter, owner common.Hash, path []byte, hash
 	}
 }
 
-// DeleteTrieNode deletes the trie node from database with the provided node info
-// and associated node hash.
-// hashScheme-based lookup requires the following:
-//   - hash
+// DeleteTrieNode deletes the trie node from database with the provided node info.
 //
-// pathScheme-based lookup requires the following:
-//   - owner
-//   - path
+// hash-scheme requires the node hash as the identifier.
+// path-scheme requires the node owner and path as the identifier.
 func DeleteTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueWriter, owner common.Hash, path []byte, hash common.Hash, scheme string) {
 	switch scheme {
 	case HashScheme:
@@ -287,9 +246,8 @@ func DeleteTrieNode(db ethdb.KeyValueWriter, owner common.Hash, path []byte, has
 // ReadStateScheme reads the state scheme of persistent state, or none
 // if the state is not present in database.
 func ReadStateScheme(db ethdb.Reader) string {
-	// Check if state in path-based scheme is present
-	blob, _ := ReadAccountTrieNode(db, nil)
-	if len(blob) != 0 {
+	// Check if state in path-based scheme is present.
+	if HasAccountTrieNode(db, nil) {
 		return PathScheme
 	}
 	// The root node might be deleted during the initial snap sync, check
@@ -304,8 +262,7 @@ func ReadStateScheme(db ethdb.Reader) string {
 	if header == nil {
 		return "" // empty datadir
 	}
-	blob = ReadLegacyTrieNode(db, header.Root)
-	if len(blob) == 0 {
+	if !HasLegacyTrieNode(db, header.Root) {
 		return "" // no state in disk
 	}
 	return HashScheme
diff --git a/core/rawdb/ancient_utils.go b/core/rawdb/ancient_utils.go
index 428cda544b..1c69639c9d 100644
--- a/core/rawdb/ancient_utils.go
+++ b/core/rawdb/ancient_utils.go
@@ -89,20 +89,17 @@ func inspectFreezers(db ethdb.Database) ([]freezerInfo, error) {
 			infos = append(infos, info)
 
 		case StateFreezerName:
-			if ReadStateScheme(db) != PathScheme {
-				continue
-			}
 			datadir, err := db.AncientDatadir()
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
 			f, err := NewStateFreezer(datadir, true)
 			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
+				continue // might be possible the state freezer is not existent
 			}
 			defer f.Close()
 
-			info, err := inspect(StateFreezerName, stateFreezerNoSnappy, f)
+			info, err := inspect(freezer, stateFreezerNoSnappy, f)
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
diff --git a/eth/handler.go b/eth/handler.go
index c7c582af40..143ac2a8a5 100644
--- a/eth/handler.go
+++ b/eth/handler.go
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/p2p"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/p2p/enode"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/triedb/pathdb"
-	"golang.org/x/crypto/sha3"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -480,7 +479,7 @@ func (h *handler) BroadcastTransactions(txs types.Transactions) {
 
 	var (
 		signer = types.LatestSignerForChainID(h.chain.Config().ChainID) // Don't care about chain status, we just need *a* sender
-		hasher = sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)
+		hasher = crypto.NewKeccakState()
 		hash   = make([]byte, 32)
 	)
 	for _, tx := range txs {
diff --git a/eth/protocols/snap/gentrie.go b/eth/protocols/snap/gentrie.go
index 81c2640b62..6255fb221d 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/snap/gentrie.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/snap/gentrie.go
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ func (t *pathTrie) deleteAccountNode(path []byte, inner bool) {
 	} else {
 		accountOuterLookupGauge.Inc(1)
 	}
-	if !rawdb.ExistsAccountTrieNode(t.db, path) {
+	if !rawdb.HasAccountTrieNode(t.db, path) {
 		return
 	}
 	if inner {
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ func (t *pathTrie) deleteStorageNode(path []byte, inner bool) {
 	} else {
 		storageOuterLookupGauge.Inc(1)
 	}
-	if !rawdb.ExistsStorageTrieNode(t.db, t.owner, path) {
+	if !rawdb.HasStorageTrieNode(t.db, t.owner, path) {
 		return
 	}
 	if inner {
diff --git a/eth/protocols/snap/sync.go b/eth/protocols/snap/sync.go
index b0ddb8e403..ffda718700 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/snap/sync.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/snap/sync.go
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rlp"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie/trienode"
-	"golang.org/x/crypto/sha3"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -2653,7 +2652,7 @@ func (s *Syncer) onByteCodes(peer SyncPeer, id uint64, bytecodes [][]byte) error
 
 	// Cross reference the requested bytecodes with the response to find gaps
 	// that the serving node is missing
-	hasher := sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)
+	hasher := crypto.NewKeccakState()
 	hash := make([]byte, 32)
 
 	codes := make([][]byte, len(req.hashes))
@@ -2901,7 +2900,7 @@ func (s *Syncer) OnTrieNodes(peer SyncPeer, id uint64, trienodes [][]byte) error
 	// Cross reference the requested trienodes with the response to find gaps
 	// that the serving node is missing
 	var (
-		hasher = sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)
+		hasher = crypto.NewKeccakState()
 		hash   = make([]byte, 32)
 		nodes  = make([][]byte, len(req.hashes))
 		fills  uint64
@@ -3007,7 +3006,7 @@ func (s *Syncer) onHealByteCodes(peer SyncPeer, id uint64, bytecodes [][]byte) e
 
 	// Cross reference the requested bytecodes with the response to find gaps
 	// that the serving node is missing
-	hasher := sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)
+	hasher := crypto.NewKeccakState()
 	hash := make([]byte, 32)
 
 	codes := make([][]byte, len(req.hashes))
diff --git a/eth/protocols/snap/sync_test.go b/eth/protocols/snap/sync_test.go
index f35babb731..5f6826373a 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/snap/sync_test.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/snap/sync_test.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func TestHashing(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 	var new = func() {
-		hasher := sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)
+		hasher := crypto.NewKeccakState()
 		var hash = make([]byte, 32)
 		for i := 0; i < len(bytecodes); i++ {
 			hasher.Reset()
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func BenchmarkHashing(b *testing.B) {
 		}
 	}
 	var new = func() {
-		hasher := sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)
+		hasher := crypto.NewKeccakState()
 		var hash = make([]byte, 32)
 		for i := 0; i < len(bytecodes); i++ {
 			hasher.Reset()
diff --git a/trie/hasher.go b/trie/hasher.go
index 1e063d8020..abf654c709 100644
--- a/trie/hasher.go
+++ b/trie/hasher.go
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rlp"
-	"golang.org/x/crypto/sha3"
 )
 
 // hasher is a type used for the trie Hash operation. A hasher has some
@@ -38,7 +37,7 @@ var hasherPool = sync.Pool{
 	New: func() interface{} {
 		return &hasher{
 			tmp:    make([]byte, 0, 550), // cap is as large as a full fullNode.
-			sha:    sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState),
+			sha:    crypto.NewKeccakState(),
 			encbuf: rlp.NewEncoderBuffer(nil),
 		}
 	},
diff --git a/trie/stacktrie_fuzzer_test.go b/trie/stacktrie_fuzzer_test.go
index 5126e0bd07..418b941d94 100644
--- a/trie/stacktrie_fuzzer_test.go
+++ b/trie/stacktrie_fuzzer_test.go
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie/trienode"
-	"golang.org/x/crypto/sha3"
 )
 
 func FuzzStackTrie(f *testing.F) {
@@ -41,10 +40,10 @@ func fuzz(data []byte, debugging bool) {
 	// This spongeDb is used to check the sequence of disk-db-writes
 	var (
 		input   = bytes.NewReader(data)
-		spongeA = &spongeDb{sponge: sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256()}
+		spongeA = &spongeDb{sponge: crypto.NewKeccakState()}
 		dbA     = newTestDatabase(rawdb.NewDatabase(spongeA), rawdb.HashScheme)
 		trieA   = NewEmpty(dbA)
-		spongeB = &spongeDb{sponge: sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256()}
+		spongeB = &spongeDb{sponge: crypto.NewKeccakState()}
 		dbB     = newTestDatabase(rawdb.NewDatabase(spongeB), rawdb.HashScheme)
 		trieB   = NewStackTrie(func(path []byte, hash common.Hash, blob []byte) {
 			rawdb.WriteTrieNode(spongeB, common.Hash{}, path, hash, blob, dbB.Scheme())
diff --git a/trie/sync.go b/trie/sync.go
index 589d28364b..f6b20b2240 100644
--- a/trie/sync.go
+++ b/trie/sync.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common/prque"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/rawdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/ethdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/log"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/metrics"
@@ -546,9 +547,9 @@ func (s *Sync) children(req *nodeRequest, object node) ([]*nodeRequest, error) {
 				// the performance impact negligible.
 				var exists bool
 				if owner == (common.Hash{}) {
-					exists = rawdb.ExistsAccountTrieNode(s.database, append(inner, key[:i]...))
+					exists = rawdb.HasAccountTrieNode(s.database, append(inner, key[:i]...))
 				} else {
-					exists = rawdb.ExistsStorageTrieNode(s.database, owner, append(inner, key[:i]...))
+					exists = rawdb.HasStorageTrieNode(s.database, owner, append(inner, key[:i]...))
 				}
 				if exists {
 					s.membatch.delNode(owner, append(inner, key[:i]...))
@@ -691,13 +692,14 @@ func (s *Sync) hasNode(owner common.Hash, path []byte, hash common.Hash) (exists
 	}
 	// If node is running with path scheme, check the presence with node path.
 	var blob []byte
-	var dbHash common.Hash
 	if owner == (common.Hash{}) {
-		blob, dbHash = rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(s.database, path)
+		blob = rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(s.database, path)
 	} else {
-		blob, dbHash = rawdb.ReadStorageTrieNode(s.database, owner, path)
+		blob = rawdb.ReadStorageTrieNode(s.database, owner, path)
 	}
-	exists = hash == dbHash
+	h := newBlobHasher()
+	defer h.release()
+	exists = hash == h.hash(blob)
 	inconsistent = !exists && len(blob) != 0
 	return exists, inconsistent
 }
@@ -712,3 +714,23 @@ func ResolvePath(path []byte) (common.Hash, []byte) {
 	}
 	return owner, path
 }
+
+// blobHasher is used to compute the sha256 hash of the provided data.
+type blobHasher struct{ state crypto.KeccakState }
+
+// blobHasherPool is the pool for reusing pre-allocated hash state.
+var blobHasherPool = sync.Pool{
+	New: func() interface{} { return &blobHasher{state: crypto.NewKeccakState()} },
+}
+
+func newBlobHasher() *blobHasher {
+	return blobHasherPool.Get().(*blobHasher)
+}
+
+func (h *blobHasher) hash(data []byte) common.Hash {
+	return crypto.HashData(h.state, data)
+}
+
+func (h *blobHasher) release() {
+	blobHasherPool.Put(h)
+}
diff --git a/trie/trie_test.go b/trie/trie_test.go
index 6ecd20c218..da60a7423d 100644
--- a/trie/trie_test.go
+++ b/trie/trie_test.go
@@ -886,7 +886,7 @@ func TestCommitSequence(t *testing.T) {
 	} {
 		addresses, accounts := makeAccounts(tc.count)
 		// This spongeDb is used to check the sequence of disk-db-writes
-		s := &spongeDb{sponge: sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256()}
+		s := &spongeDb{sponge: crypto.NewKeccakState()}
 		db := newTestDatabase(rawdb.NewDatabase(s), rawdb.HashScheme)
 		trie := NewEmpty(db)
 		// Fill the trie with elements
@@ -917,7 +917,7 @@ func TestCommitSequenceRandomBlobs(t *testing.T) {
 	} {
 		prng := rand.New(rand.NewSource(int64(i)))
 		// This spongeDb is used to check the sequence of disk-db-writes
-		s := &spongeDb{sponge: sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256()}
+		s := &spongeDb{sponge: crypto.NewKeccakState()}
 		db := newTestDatabase(rawdb.NewDatabase(s), rawdb.HashScheme)
 		trie := NewEmpty(db)
 		// Fill the trie with elements
diff --git a/trie/trienode/node.go b/trie/trienode/node.go
index bc93e3ca88..aa8a0f6d99 100644
--- a/trie/trienode/node.go
+++ b/trie/trienode/node.go
@@ -135,16 +135,6 @@ func (set *NodeSet) Size() (int, int) {
 	return set.updates, set.deletes
 }
 
-// Hashes returns the hashes of all updated nodes. TODO(rjl493456442) how can
-// we get rid of it?
-func (set *NodeSet) Hashes() []common.Hash {
-	ret := make([]common.Hash, 0, len(set.Nodes))
-	for _, node := range set.Nodes {
-		ret = append(ret, node.Hash)
-	}
-	return ret
-}
-
 // Summary returns a string-representation of the NodeSet.
 func (set *NodeSet) Summary() string {
 	var out = new(strings.Builder)
diff --git a/trie/triestate/state.go b/trie/triestate/state.go
index aa4d32f852..9db9211e8c 100644
--- a/trie/triestate/state.go
+++ b/trie/triestate/state.go
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rlp"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie/trienode"
-	"golang.org/x/crypto/sha3"
 )
 
 // Trie is an Ethereum state trie, can be implemented by Ethereum Merkle Patricia
@@ -257,7 +256,7 @@ func deleteAccount(ctx *context, loader TrieLoader, addr common.Address) error {
 type hasher struct{ sha crypto.KeccakState }
 
 var hasherPool = sync.Pool{
-	New: func() interface{} { return &hasher{sha: sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)} },
+	New: func() interface{} { return &hasher{sha: crypto.NewKeccakState()} },
 }
 
 func newHasher() *hasher {
diff --git a/triedb/database.go b/triedb/database.go
index 261a47dcc2..10f77982f3 100644
--- a/triedb/database.go
+++ b/triedb/database.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/rawdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/ethdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/log"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie"
@@ -48,9 +49,6 @@ var HashDefaults = &Config{
 // backend defines the methods needed to access/update trie nodes in different
 // state scheme.
 type backend interface {
-	// Scheme returns the identifier of used storage scheme.
-	Scheme() string
-
 	// Initialized returns an indicator if the state data is already initialized
 	// according to the state scheme.
 	Initialized(genesisRoot common.Hash) bool
@@ -181,7 +179,10 @@ func (db *Database) Initialized(genesisRoot common.Hash) bool {
 
 // Scheme returns the node scheme used in the database.
 func (db *Database) Scheme() string {
-	return db.backend.Scheme()
+	if db.config.PathDB != nil {
+		return rawdb.PathScheme
+	}
+	return rawdb.HashScheme
 }
 
 // Close flushes the dangling preimages to disk and closes the trie database.
diff --git a/triedb/database/database.go b/triedb/database/database.go
index 18a8f454e2..f11c7e9bbd 100644
--- a/triedb/database/database.go
+++ b/triedb/database/database.go
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ type Reader interface {
 	// Node retrieves the trie node blob with the provided trie identifier,
 	// node path and the corresponding node hash. No error will be returned
 	// if the node is not found.
+	//
+	// Don't modify the returned byte slice since it's not deep-copied and
+	// still be referenced by database.
 	Node(owner common.Hash, path []byte, hash common.Hash) ([]byte, error)
 }
 
diff --git a/triedb/hashdb/database.go b/triedb/hashdb/database.go
index 7d5499eb69..ebb5d72057 100644
--- a/triedb/hashdb/database.go
+++ b/triedb/hashdb/database.go
@@ -623,11 +623,6 @@ func (db *Database) Close() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// Scheme returns the node scheme used in the database.
-func (db *Database) Scheme() string {
-	return rawdb.HashScheme
-}
-
 // Reader retrieves a node reader belonging to the given state root.
 // An error will be returned if the requested state is not available.
 func (db *Database) Reader(root common.Hash) (*reader, error) {
diff --git a/triedb/pathdb/database.go b/triedb/pathdb/database.go
index 50beebced1..05a28aa1ef 100644
--- a/triedb/pathdb/database.go
+++ b/triedb/pathdb/database.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/rawdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/ethdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/log"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/params"
@@ -306,8 +307,10 @@ func (db *Database) Enable(root common.Hash) error {
 	}
 	// Ensure the provided state root matches the stored one.
 	root = types.TrieRootHash(root)
-	_, stored := rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(db.diskdb, nil)
-	stored = types.TrieRootHash(stored)
+	stored := types.EmptyRootHash
+	if blob := rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(db.diskdb, nil); len(blob) > 0 {
+		stored = crypto.Keccak256Hash(blob)
+	}
 	if stored != root {
 		return fmt.Errorf("state root mismatch: stored %x, synced %x", stored, root)
 	}
@@ -480,11 +483,6 @@ func (db *Database) SetBufferSize(size int) error {
 	return db.tree.bottom().setBufferSize(db.bufferSize)
 }
 
-// Scheme returns the node scheme used in the database.
-func (db *Database) Scheme() string {
-	return rawdb.PathScheme
-}
-
 // modifyAllowed returns the indicator if mutation is allowed. This function
 // assumes the db.lock is already held.
 func (db *Database) modifyAllowed() error {
diff --git a/triedb/pathdb/database_test.go b/triedb/pathdb/database_test.go
index 29de534589..7b24082315 100644
--- a/triedb/pathdb/database_test.go
+++ b/triedb/pathdb/database_test.go
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ func TestDisable(t *testing.T) {
 	tester := newTester(t, 0)
 	defer tester.release()
 
-	_, stored := rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(tester.db.diskdb, nil)
+	stored := crypto.Keccak256Hash(rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(tester.db.diskdb, nil))
 	if err := tester.db.Disable(); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to deactivate database: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ func TestCorruptedJournal(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Failed to journal, err: %v", err)
 	}
 	tester.db.Close()
-	_, root := rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(tester.db.diskdb, nil)
+	root := crypto.Keccak256Hash(rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(tester.db.diskdb, nil))
 
 	// Mutate the journal in disk, it should be regarded as invalid
 	blob := rawdb.ReadTrieJournal(tester.db.diskdb)
diff --git a/triedb/pathdb/difflayer_test.go b/triedb/pathdb/difflayer_test.go
index bf4c6502ef..1e93a3f892 100644
--- a/triedb/pathdb/difflayer_test.go
+++ b/triedb/pathdb/difflayer_test.go
@@ -70,10 +70,10 @@ func benchmarkSearch(b *testing.B, depth int, total int) {
 				blob = testrand.Bytes(100)
 				node = trienode.New(crypto.Keccak256Hash(blob), blob)
 			)
-			nodes[common.Hash{}][string(path)] = trienode.New(node.Hash, node.Blob)
+			nodes[common.Hash{}][string(path)] = node
 			if npath == nil && depth == index {
 				npath = common.CopyBytes(path)
-				nblob = common.CopyBytes(node.Blob)
+				nblob = common.CopyBytes(blob)
 			}
 		}
 		return newDiffLayer(parent, common.Hash{}, 0, 0, nodes, nil)
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ func BenchmarkPersist(b *testing.B) {
 				blob = testrand.Bytes(100)
 				node = trienode.New(crypto.Keccak256Hash(blob), blob)
 			)
-			nodes[common.Hash{}][string(path)] = trienode.New(node.Hash, node.Blob)
+			nodes[common.Hash{}][string(path)] = node
 		}
 		return newDiffLayer(parent, common.Hash{}, 0, 0, nodes, nil)
 	}
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ func BenchmarkJournal(b *testing.B) {
 				blob = testrand.Bytes(100)
 				node = trienode.New(crypto.Keccak256Hash(blob), blob)
 			)
-			nodes[common.Hash{}][string(path)] = trienode.New(node.Hash, node.Blob)
+			nodes[common.Hash{}][string(path)] = node
 		}
 		// TODO(rjl493456442) a non-nil state set is expected.
 		return newDiffLayer(parent, common.Hash{}, 0, 0, nodes, nil)
diff --git a/triedb/pathdb/disklayer.go b/triedb/pathdb/disklayer.go
index ec7c91bcac..964ad2ef77 100644
--- a/triedb/pathdb/disklayer.go
+++ b/triedb/pathdb/disklayer.go
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/log"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie/trienode"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie/triestate"
-	"golang.org/x/crypto/sha3"
 )
 
 // diskLayer is a low level persistent layer built on top of a key-value store.
@@ -117,12 +116,12 @@ func (dl *diskLayer) node(owner common.Hash, path []byte, depth int) ([]byte, co
 	dirtyMissMeter.Mark(1)
 
 	// Try to retrieve the trie node from the clean memory cache
+	h := newHasher()
+	defer h.release()
+
 	key := cacheKey(owner, path)
 	if dl.cleans != nil {
 		if blob := dl.cleans.Get(nil, key); len(blob) > 0 {
-			h := newHasher()
-			defer h.release()
-
 			cleanHitMeter.Mark(1)
 			cleanReadMeter.Mark(int64(len(blob)))
 			return blob, h.hash(blob), &nodeLoc{loc: locCleanCache, depth: depth}, nil
@@ -130,20 +129,18 @@ func (dl *diskLayer) node(owner common.Hash, path []byte, depth int) ([]byte, co
 		cleanMissMeter.Mark(1)
 	}
 	// Try to retrieve the trie node from the disk.
-	var (
-		nBlob []byte
-		nHash common.Hash
-	)
+	var blob []byte
 	if owner == (common.Hash{}) {
-		nBlob, nHash = rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(dl.db.diskdb, path)
+		blob = rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(dl.db.diskdb, path)
 	} else {
-		nBlob, nHash = rawdb.ReadStorageTrieNode(dl.db.diskdb, owner, path)
+		blob = rawdb.ReadStorageTrieNode(dl.db.diskdb, owner, path)
 	}
-	if dl.cleans != nil && len(nBlob) > 0 {
-		dl.cleans.Set(key, nBlob)
-		cleanWriteMeter.Mark(int64(len(nBlob)))
+	if dl.cleans != nil && len(blob) > 0 {
+		dl.cleans.Set(key, blob)
+		cleanWriteMeter.Mark(int64(len(blob)))
 	}
-	return nBlob, nHash, &nodeLoc{loc: locDiskLayer, depth: depth}, nil
+
+	return blob, h.hash(blob), &nodeLoc{loc: locDiskLayer, depth: depth}, nil
 }
 
 // update implements the layer interface, returning a new diff layer on top
@@ -303,7 +300,7 @@ func (dl *diskLayer) resetCache() {
 type hasher struct{ sha crypto.KeccakState }
 
 var hasherPool = sync.Pool{
-	New: func() interface{} { return &hasher{sha: sha3.NewLegacyKeccak256().(crypto.KeccakState)} },
+	New: func() interface{} { return &hasher{sha: crypto.NewKeccakState()} },
 }
 
 func newHasher() *hasher {
diff --git a/triedb/pathdb/journal.go b/triedb/pathdb/journal.go
index 3a0b7ebae2..1740ec5935 100644
--- a/triedb/pathdb/journal.go
+++ b/triedb/pathdb/journal.go
@@ -120,9 +120,10 @@ func (db *Database) loadJournal(diskRoot common.Hash) (layer, error) {
 // loadLayers loads a pre-existing state layer backed by a key-value store.
 func (db *Database) loadLayers() layer {
 	// Retrieve the root node of persistent state.
-	_, root := rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(db.diskdb, nil)
-	root = types.TrieRootHash(root)
-
+	var root = types.EmptyRootHash
+	if blob := rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(db.diskdb, nil); len(blob) > 0 {
+		root = crypto.Keccak256Hash(blob)
+	}
 	// Load the layers by resolving the journal
 	head, err := db.loadJournal(root)
 	if err == nil {
@@ -361,14 +362,13 @@ func (db *Database) Journal(root common.Hash) error {
 	if err := rlp.Encode(journal, journalVersion); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	// The stored state in disk might be empty, convert the
-	// root to emptyRoot in this case.
-	_, diskroot := rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(db.diskdb, nil)
-	diskroot = types.TrieRootHash(diskroot)
-
 	// Secondly write out the state root in disk, ensure all layers
 	// on top are continuous with disk.
-	if err := rlp.Encode(journal, diskroot); err != nil {
+	diskRoot := types.EmptyRootHash
+	if blob := rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(db.diskdb, nil); len(blob) > 0 {
+		diskRoot = crypto.Keccak256Hash(blob)
+	}
+	if err := rlp.Encode(journal, diskRoot); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	// Finally write out the journal of each layer in reverse order.
diff --git a/triedb/pathdb/nodebuffer.go b/triedb/pathdb/nodebuffer.go
index 4a13fcc44e..5675f14123 100644
--- a/triedb/pathdb/nodebuffer.go
+++ b/triedb/pathdb/nodebuffer.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 package pathdb
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"time"
 
@@ -148,14 +149,14 @@ func (b *nodebuffer) revert(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, nodes map[common.Hash]map[s
 				//
 				// In case of database rollback, don't panic if this "clean"
 				// node occurs which is not present in buffer.
-				var nhash common.Hash
+				var blob []byte
 				if owner == (common.Hash{}) {
-					_, nhash = rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(db, []byte(path))
+					blob = rawdb.ReadAccountTrieNode(db, []byte(path))
 				} else {
-					_, nhash = rawdb.ReadStorageTrieNode(db, owner, []byte(path))
+					blob = rawdb.ReadStorageTrieNode(db, owner, []byte(path))
 				}
 				// Ignore the clean node in the case described above.
-				if nhash == n.Hash {
+				if bytes.Equal(blob, n.Blob) {
 					continue
 				}
 				panic(fmt.Sprintf("non-existent node (%x %v) blob: %v", owner, path, crypto.Keccak256Hash(n.Blob).Hex()))